"Brit-Am Now"-1040
Contents: 1. Tessa: "Ezekiel held two different
sticks"
2. Michelle B.: "not the exact completion of the task"
3. Inverness: "the focus is still right there"
4. David Miller: "our obligation"
5. Paula: Ephraimites,
the Law, and the Land of Israel
6. Charles Stalsworth: Biblical Parallels
7. Nancy: Looking for Source on Joseph and the Oral Law
1. Tessa: "Ezekiel held two different
sticks" From: beswick <beswick@slingshot.co.nz>
Subject: Re: "Brit-Am Now"-1038
#3. What Do Ephraimites mean when they say they keep the Law?
Shalom Yair
Regarding the topic of Ephraimites keeping (or not keeping) the Law/Torah and
your conceptual challenge, Ephraimites are a scattered and unconnected bunch
around the globe and don't necessarily share exactly the same viewpoint. But my
experience is that such people are usually on a journey out of orthodox
Christianity, having discovered that some of what they were taught is not
biblical. These people are working hard to remove unbiblical knowledge and
practices and replace them with that which is sourced from the Bible alone - an
enormous and painstaking task. There is an understandable reluctance to then
accept and follow teachings which, while honourable, are not to be found within
the covers of a Bible because of a reasonable fear of what to us looks like
man-made laws. Also, by abandoning our former practices we are already viewed as
heretics to be treated with some suspicion.
Some are experiencing differing degrees of persecution from Christian friends
and family for, in their eyes, becoming 'Jewish'. Even though we recognise that
we are not Jews, the world regards us as such for taking up the sabbath, diet
laws, festivals etc. So to Christians we are becoming too Jewish and to Jews we
are not Jewish enough it seems!
Why were Ephraimites upset at the recent ruckus? Probably because to be told by
Judah that we have no obligation to keep the Law at all is distressing since
that is exactly what we've been told by the Church for 1700 years and we've
found it wasn't true. To then suggest that we may not take up what we can of
Torah was to leave us out in the cold. Our life of faith is already quite
difficult without having another barrier put in front of us.
Perhaps it is sufficient to remember that Ezekiel held two different sticks in
his hands for a period of time before they were joined into one. Each of these
different sticks brings something of value which ultimately will be united. It
seems this will not happen until all tribes are in the Land. Should we agree to
practice forbearance in the meantime and accept that for the time being there is
a purpose to our differences and we do not need to hinder each other?
Blessings - Tessa
2. Michelle B.: "not the exact
completion of the task"
Subject: Re: "Brit-Am Now"-1038
#3. What Do Ephraimites mean when they say they keep the Law?
Comments on keeping the Law, whoever you might be:
These modern times dictate an entirely different way of life. It would be
impossible in some aspects of keeping the Law, for anyone who wanted to, to do
so, including the feasts.
I think the Father is okay with that, if it is in the heart for one to make
every attempt to follow as much as one can.
When I was in basic training for the Air Force, you passed even if you failed in
some things. Why? Because effort on your part to do everything you could to
complete the task was well noted. Sometimes it's not the exact completion of the
task, but the heartfelt effort put into it that makes one a success in the eyes
of the taskmaster.
Blessings, michelle b.
3. Inverness: "the focus is still right
there"
re "Brit-Am Now"-1039
http://britam.org/now/1039Now.html
#2. Identity Traitors Harass Brit-Am and Besmirch all Israelites
Subject: Re: niemala
The silliest part of all this fake-identity business is that the
focus is still right there with modern Jewry at the center. Anti or
pro, the attention paid speaks volumes. I dont recall Germans
inhabiting the coastland as per Zephaniah 2, or a whole lot of
controversy about Berlin as in Zechariah 12-14.
The point I get from learning about history from a true (Biblical)
perspective is not that "Jews are really Khazars", or "English are
really Ephraim", but the reverse- Khazars are actually
Jews/Israelites and Lost Tribes like Ephraim have become English.
One sign of idolatry is trying to impose a man made doctrine on
universal, linear-time events. First comes the ancient people, then
the medieval, and now the modern. A modern people is not "really"
an ancient people; ancient races become medieval, and then medieval
became modern.
4. David Miller: "our obligation"
From: David Miller <dlmlegal@sbcglobal.net>
re "Brit-Am Now"-1038
http://britam.org/now/1038Now.html
#1. Joseph and the Law: A Challenge to Ephraimites
Extract:
Mr. Davidy:
I think your website and the material you have published on the Lost Tribes is
excellent, and I believe that God is certainly using Brit-Am to awaken
individuals to the knowledge of their Israelite identity.
I am sure there are many things one could learn from the oral law. I am not
discounting it at all. But as a Christian, our obligation is to observe the
written law of God, not the oral traditions. That obligation is upon those
whether Jew, Gentile, or Ephraimite.
God bless you Mr. Davidy in your continued work at Brit-Am.
David Miller
USA
5. Paula: Ephraimites,
the Law, and the Land of Israel
re: Brit Am Now 1038
Dear Yair,
When the "mini-ruckus" broke out recently, I understood you to be saying that
returning Israelites should not be expected or required to convert to Orthodox
Judaism, but that their returning to certain aspects of the Torah was a good
thing. To my way of thinking your initial letter (the one that started the
ruckus) was in support of those of us who have returned to some observances that
are required of Israel but who have not and do not choose to convert.
You asked, "Why then were many of them upset with us?" They were confused. I
believe your understanding on Ephraimite observance of the Law is largely
correct. To most Ephraimites the term "the Law" means "that which is written in
the Torah"; to you, an observant Jew, it means "that which was written and
spoken (the oral law and all that goes with it)". You can be sure that the
majority of Israelites on this forum agree with you that we should not be
expected or required to convert.
You said:
"We would like to throw out a conceptual
challenge to all Ephraimites:
If it could be proven to your satisfaction that the Oral Law emanates from the
Written Law would you keep it??
If not, why not???
For me, I would not only need to see that the idea of the Oral Law emanated from
the written Law, but also that the rulings and decisions based on the Oral Law
are in agreement with the written Law. There are probably things that I would
agree with and would disagree with. I would not be willing to give a blanket
approval and acceptance to the whole of the Oral Law without first understanding
it and the things that go with it. It would be a bad situation for both Judah
and Joseph if Joseph were to simply accept Judah's understandings and teachings
and then wake up one day with the very bad realization that he could not in good
conscience live by them. It is in our interest to understand them before we
accept them.
I do many of the things that you listed as Ephraimite observance of the Law. I
do them to the best of my understanding and do not base my observance on what
someone else thinks I should be doing or not doing, and I am not likely to
change my approach anytime soon. I also do not expect others to do as I do. I,
like most of Ephraim, am in a transition phase. Things that I held true 10 to
15 years ago I would now consider to be pagan. I am smart enough to realize
that I still have a lot to learn and I am willing to learn.
You said:
**Concerning reaching out to "Joseph"
I would say that the most important point might be spreading the knowledge of
the ancestral identity of western peoples along with affirmation of the Jews
being Judah, that the Jews (as being Israelites and keeping the Law) have a
right to ALL the Land of Israel since they are the forerunners in Israel of all
the Tribes. Ephraimites
technically may not be obligated at present to keep all the Law but they should
respect the obligation of Judah to do so.
Concerning reaching out to "Judah" the situation is a little different.
We should let them know who "Joseph" is, let them know about Brit-Am, and let
them know that there are
Ephraimites who agree with and
support Brit-Am or at least hold principles of their own similar to those of
Brit-Am.?**
I agree that we must spread the knowledge of who the western peoples are, and we
must reveal to our brother Judah, the Jews, that "We are your brother, Joseph."
It must also be explained to Joseph that in order to have ownership of his part
of the land that he must fulfill his part of the contract, the covenant which
was WRITTEN; circumcision, the Sabbath, the festivals, etc. There are some
religious issues which can be put aside, but there are some that cannot. There
are certain WRITTEN laws which tie Israel to the land. You yourself confirm this
when you say that it should be affirmed that since the Jews are Israelites AND
KEEP THE LAW that they have a right to "ALL" the land.
As for Judah having a right to ALL the land, I certainly agree that they have a
right to be there and live on the land regardless of whose tribal allotment it
might be. Just as many Israelites upon return may live in tribal areas outside
of there own tribe. However, the Right of Ownership or Guardianship of the land
belongs to the tribe, all the families of the tribe, to which it was allotted.
I also think that the turmoil of the land will not be over until he who has the
Right of Ownership/Guardianship shows up and possesses it. It is important that
we do not positively assert that one tribe has control of another tribe's
territory, because we do not want to act as one who removes the land markers and
be guilty of the exact sin that our leaders are committing at this very moment.
I do affirm that ALL the tribes have a RIGHT to the land of their fathers and
ALL land from the Nile to the Euphrates.
I agree with your assessment about reaching out to Judah. I would add one
point; Judah should know that a bow in the hands of a skilled warrior is a
powerful weapon, but it will never reach its full potential until it has arrows
to go with it.
Yair, where have you commented on this weeks Torah portion? Do you
see a correlation between Joseph being sent out to his brothers at
the age of 17 years and the fact that Torah tells us that Jacob lived
17 years in Egypt and that he died there.
I noted with interest the search that you did on Joseph's tomb and
how it has been defiled. In the year that you spoke to us in the
Land, I was able to go up to Hevron to see what Moses wanted the
spies to see but now even that has been given away.
7. Nancy: Looking for Source on Joseph
and the Oral Law
Subject: RE: "Brit-Am Now"-1038
#1. Joseph and the Law: A Challenge to Ephraimites
> We recently came across a source (in the Rabbinical Commentary "Sefat
> Emet") saying that Joseph represents the
> understanding of the Oral Law as emerging from the Written Law and
> the connection between the two..
Hi Yair,
Could you provide the reference for this?
Thanks.
Reply:
We have decided to prepare a series of Rabbinical Commentaries about the
Individual Tribes.
The first instalment
of this series will be an article from the "SefatEmet"
on Joseph.
SefatEmet
(also pronounced as "SefasEmes") YehudaAryehLeib
Alter (1847 - 1905), also known by the title of his Torah books as the SfasEmes
, was born in Warsaw, Poland . He was a Hasidic Rabbi, and headed the Gerrerchasidim.
Described as: "one of the greatest Torah scholars of his generation" which is
something of an understatement. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehudah_Aryeh_Leib_Alter
In answer to your specific question the following two roughly translated
quotations are pertinent:
Commentary to Genesis ("YeYechi")
Chapters 47:28 to 50
Year 641
Joseph has a portion in the Patriarchs who are the Aspect of the Written Torah.
On the other hand Judah is the Aspect of the Oral Law. When a proper
clarification is made they both become one. As it says " THEN JUDAH CAME NEAR
UNTO HIM" [Genesis 44:18]... All of the Oral Law is encompassed in the Written
Torah...Only we need human strength and exertion to clarify matters.
Year 656
Each Tribe has it own Aspect. The Patriarchs are the Written Torah. There are
Thirteen Principles by which the Oral Law is deduced from the Written Law. These
Thirteen Principles represent the Torah of Jacob that radiates out to the
Twelve Tribes and to Joseph who connects the Written Torah to the Oral Torah.
